I grew up on a farm in Iowa with five siblings and two hardworking parents. My mom was an elementary music teacher, so public education has always been a significant part of my life. After getting my bachelor's degree in psychology, I spent two years working as a social worker in South America. I then moved to Denver about fourteen years ago and got my master’s in social work. For over a decade, I worked at a local non-profit supporting bereaved children and families as a counselor and oversaw the school-based program. A year and a half ago, I transitioned to Mile High United Way, where I serve as the Senior Director of the United for Schools program. Here, I work with various entities including government, philanthropy, community organizations, schools, and districts to align systems to ensure all students have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive. Most importantly, I am the wife of a firefighter and a mother of two incredible elementary-aged children. Both of my kids have been students in the Englewood Schools district since they started preschool. Since 2018, I have been able to volunteer with their school on the school accountability committee (SAC) and a few years later as chair/co-chair of the Englewood Schools district accountability committee (DAC).
Why are you running for school board?
I am interested in running for the school board because I care deeply about the Englewood community, the amazing school and district staff, and the students and families who attend these schools. The majority of my life has been spent engaging with public education systems, from my own experience as a K-12 student to a professional providing educational support and resources. I am deeply aware of the importance of advocating for the whole child, whole school and whole community to ensure that not only are students able to succeed, but that the entire Englewood community benefits.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
As described above, my professional path has consistently been focused on supporting and advocating for students, families, schools, districts, and communities. I have the experiences, skills, knowledge, and connections necessary to serve on the Englewood Board of Education. In a parallel path, I have been an engaged parent and community member in my work with the schools and district. I believe that when public education systems and community members come together to co-create solutions which align with the goals and vision of those most impacted, sustainable and impactful change can happen.
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
My hope for Englewood Schools is that students and families will have what they need to achieve overall wellbeing and academic growth. To ensure student and community success, I will listen to community needs, conduct collaborative decision-making with students, families, school/district staff and community members, and facilitate the coordination of resources and supports in schools. Public education funding and declining enrollment are issues impacting the whole state, and as a small district, these trends have significant repercussions for Englewood Schools. I hope to work collaboratively with the staff, community members, and policy makers to co-create solutions for sustainable funding streams. I also plan to continue engaging in creative and strategic planning to explore solutions for addressing declining enrollment in a state where birth rates continue to decline.
I am the Managing General Partner of a multinational company called Canberra Partners and have been in that position for the better part of a decade, which is the same amount of time that I have lived in Englewood. My company is invested in Real Estate, Music, Food, Vending, Healthcare, Skincare, Clean Energy and more. I am a transplant from NYC originally but have been in Colorado for the better part of 20 years off and on. My partner is a native; who has lived in Englewood his entire life, including being a former City Councilman. In addition to being the Managing Partner of Canberra Partners, I am a Professional Musician / DJ. I'm a current member of The Recording Academy; Better known as The Grammys, where I have been a professional member for close to 8 years (Anniversary is coming up in 2024!). I am also a member of Broadcast Music, INC (BMI) and have been since 2010. As gathered, I am a massive fan of the arts, having a career based on that specifically.
Why are you running for school board?
I am running for School Board because I feel a desire to better my community further than I have currently. After participating in a historic referendum with 1400+ of my neighbors to try and stop over-development by an overzealous city, I figured I would turn my talents to the School Board, to see what good work I could participate in and hopefully expand on, after seeing some of this districts test results and graduation rates.
What makes you a good candidate for the Englewood Board of Education?
I think diverse opinions matter, especially in educational settings and that is what I feel I bring to the table. My background in growing companies from scratch multi-nationally over the course of a decade with some professional exits and my understanding of some potential future tools (read AI) and how they may affect education down the road in my opinion make me specifically primed for the job having completed my Certification with Honors on AI and law from Lund University in January. I hold a certification from Stanford University Online for COVID-19 for Healthcare Workers acquired in September 2020, should we be subjected to the need for planning surrounding any potential outbreaks that may occur. Additionally, I hold a certification from Yale University with Honors for Financial Markets. In my opinion, It gives me a unique perspective of examining potential upcoming budgets as per the scope of being a potential Director.
What are your hopes/goals for Englewood Schools? How do you plan to achieve them if you are elected?
Innovation should be rewarded. The goal is ultimately to balance the harmonic symphony that is Administration, Students, Faculty, Parents and ultimately the Unions, to accommodate learning into the future. Technology, collaboration and access will play a large part in this.
